Britain’s £500m migrant deal with France is set for a major overhaul after Channel deaths

The decision by the Home Secretary follows a series of other measures aimed at cutting costs, including the decision to scrap the Conservatives’ Rwanda plan, to stop using the Bibby Stockholm boat and to scrap plans to use RAF Scampton for housing.

Under the current deal signed by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Britain will pay France £161 million this year and £176 million next year to help French police crack down on small boats being launched from beaches.

The costs would also include a new detention centre, but according to The Sun, construction of the complex had not yet started.

A Labour source told the publication: “We inherited all sorts of commitments from the Tories, including £700m for a completely ridiculous plan in Rwanda.

“We look at all kinds of projects and costs within the government.

“This includes the half a billion that the previous government committed to spending in France.”

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The plans to scrap the deal also echo an election promise made by Keir Starmer, who said: “All the reports I’ve seen on that initiative show it’s not proving to be effective, and I think that’s reflected in the numbers we’re seeing – record numbers.”

The comment comes after 12 migrants died attempting to cross the Channel.

The small boat, believed to be carrying around 50 people, ran into trouble earlier this month off Cap Gris-Nez, north of Le Portel.

At around 11:30, emergency services were sent to the scene. French authorities said most of the dead were from Eritrea or African countries.

A pregnant woman and six children were among those killed in what has been described as the deadliest Channel crossing tragedy this year.

Speaking at the time about the deaths, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “What happened off the coast at Le Portel is a horrific and deeply tragic incident. Our thoughts are with the loved ones of all those who lost their lives and with all those who were seriously injured.

“I am in contact with my counterpart in France, Gerald Darmanin, and am being kept informed of the situation.

“We pay tribute to the French coastguard and emergency services who undoubtedly saved many lives, but unfortunately could not save everyone. We await the results of the French investigation into how this particular incident unfolded.

“The gangs behind this horrific and unscrupulous trade in human lives are cramming more and more people into increasingly unseaworthy rowing boats and sending them out into the Channel even in very bad weather.

“They care about nothing but the profit they make, and that is why – in addition to mourning the terrible loss of life – the work to dismantle these dangerous and criminal smuggling rings and strengthen border security is so critical and must continue apace.”

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has reportedly called for a migration treaty between the UK and the EU following the deaths to limit the number of border crossings following the tragedy.

However, Downing Street rejected this, with a spokesman saying: “We have no plans to be part of an EU asylum programme, but we will continue to work with European partners to close smuggling routes and destroy those criminal gangs.”